Market Trends of Cannabis Industry
Legalization of Cannabis
- Medicinal cannabis accounts for a significant share of the cannabis market. Many countries, such as Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay, have legalized the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Thailand's Food and Drug Administration withdrew marijuana and hemp from the Category 5 narcotics list in June 2022, decriminalizing these drugs. In effect, this change in the legislation allows Thais to produce and sell marijuana for medical purposes, which the government hopes could eventually establish Thailand as an "herbal center" in Southeast Asia.
- As of 2022, cannabis is legal for recreational use in nineteen states, two US territories, and the District of Columbia. Thirty-seven states, four US territories, and DC have approved the drug's medicinal usage. More states are estimated to follow suit during the forecast period, considering the widespread demand for cannabis and its medicinal properties. In US provinces where cannabis has been legalized, consumers are mostly aged 50 and above. Owing to the higher risk of chronic diseases post-50 years of age and the effectiveness of cannabis on such conditions, this demographic profile is expected to boost the demand for cannabis in the country.
- According to the US Government Accountability Office (under State Medical Marijuana Laws), symptoms and conditions that can be treated by cannabis include Alzheimer’s disease, anorexia, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, arthritis, epilepsy, nausea, pain, cachexia, Crohn's disease, migraines, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and wasting syndrome. Continuous research and standardization of products for medicinal purposes are expected to increase the popularity and demand for cannabis in the future.
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North America Dominates the Market
- The North American cannabis market is set to become the primary producer of cannabis after the legalization of cannabis in Canada. In May 2021, the US government approved new growers of research marijuana for the first time in more than 50 years, thus increasing the capacity to study the drug’s medical value.
- Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved some of its derivative compounds for medicinal use. Marinol, Syndros, Cesamet, and Epidolex are cannabinoid drugs that received approval from the FDA. Furthermore, in the United States, ten states have legalized cannabis for recreational use, while 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical purposes.
- Among these states, California, Washington, and Colorado are the leading cannabis sellers. The production levels of cannabis in North America have increased rapidly over the past few years due to the expansion of the major players' production capacities. More states are estimated to follow suit during the forecast period, considering the widespread demand for cannabis and its medicinal properties.
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